Regulators approve new insect-based flu vaccine

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Lab developing long-lasting flu shot

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Unlike other flu vaccines, Flublok doesn't rely on eggs or the influenza virus

Instead, it's made by growing a virus protein in insect cells

This allows for more rapid production in the event of a pandemic, the FDA says

The vaccine is available in limited supplies during the current flu season

As flu season rages across the United States, federal regulators say they have approved a new kind of vaccine for the virus.

The new product, Flublok, which is available in limited supplies for the current season, is different from other flu vaccines, because it isn't made using eggs or an influenza virus, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.